Looking for the best options for tent camping near Federal Way? Find the best information on tent campgrounds near Federal Way, including sites, reviews, and tips. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Federal Way, Washington's most popular destinations.
The campground at Mowich Lake is the smallest of the four camping areas within the boundaries of Mount Rainier National Park. The road is unpaved after the first three miles and may be rough. Also, this is a walk-in campground only and fires are not allowed. With all that said, however, it just may be the most pristine and beautiful place to pitch a tent you’ll ever come across, with one of the most magnificent views of the mountain that you’ll find anywhere.
$12 - $45 / night
Tents only. Backcountry camping permits are available from the Carbon River Ranger Station (360) 829-9639.
The historic Mather Memorial Parkway (State Route 410) is the gateway to a recreational haven. On a clear day, enjoy spectacular views of Mt. Rainier. For more excitement, take a spin in the off-road vehicle area at Evans Creek, or zip down the slopes of Crystal Mountain Ski Area. Or if you prefer solitude, escape into the solace of the forest and leave the world behind.
Mather Memorial Parkway Created in 1931, this paved two-lane classic Cascades drive along Highway 410 from Enumclaw to the eastern edge of Mount Rainier National Park presents majestic views of Mount Rainier and surrounding peaks. More than 200 miles of trails accommodate hikers, horses and mountain bikes. Drive, hike or ride to the Suntop Lookout Cabin at the top of Forest Road 7315. Choose a primitive campsite along forest roads east and west of the parkway. In November buy a permit at the Enumclaw office and take the family out to the woods to cut your own Christmas tree. Most forest roads are unpaved and minimally maintained. Cell phones have limited coverage in the mountains.
Dispersed camping is the term used for camping in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Typically, it refers to roadside car camping, but also refers to backpacking in undeveloped sites. Dispersed camping means there are no services like trash removal, and amenities such as toilets, tables and fire pits, are not usually available.
It is your responsibility to plan ahead and learn the extra skills necessary for dispersed camping. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers.
Dispersed camping along Forest Service roads is allowed where there is adequate space to safely park completely off the roadway and not on any vegetation. Whether car camping or backpacking, choose an existing campsite on bare or compacted soil. Unless signed as an area where a fee is required, dispersed camping is free. Dispersed camping is prohibited in developed campgrounds and areas posted closed or no camping. Some designated Wilderness areas have additional restrictions.
A Beautiful quarter acre residence on Carr Inlet.. backed by Penrose pointe State Park...
There are three spacious campsites below this beautiful quarter acre property in which to camp.
Macie's Brook has tenting only.. as you will park your vehicle at the top of the property and hike a short distance down to the tent sites.
This minimal amenity camp experience... Will prepare you for a little survival off grid..
These campsites are 100 ft above the beach line on high Bank waterfront property.
There is one trail currently down to the beach ask the owner for details..
$15 - $45 / night
$12 / night
This heavily used walk-in campground is accessed by hiking 3.5 miles on Lena Lake Trail #810. This backcountry primitive camping area is located along the west-shore of Lena Lake a large 55 acre lake in the Hamma Hamma drainage at 1,800 feet elevation. There are two pit toilets available on the west and north shores. Camp in designated sites located on either side of the lake. This area is heavily impacted by high visitor use! Campers must be familiar with Leave No Trace principles. Pack out all trash, camp within developed sites, and respect other visitors. From the campground there is access to The Brothers Wilderness via The Brothers Trail #821 which ends at The Brothers Base Camp. Wilderness regulations apply within The Brothers Wilderness. View a Lena Lake Campground vicinity map (.pdf)
$5 / night
A backcountry campsite on the Spray Park Trail in Mount Rainier National Park.
MCF is situated 12 minutes NE of Shelton Washington with secluded wetlands nested against the SW shores of Spencer Lake. Covering over 114 acres MCF offers terrain from grassy fields to heavily wooded forests and an abundance of sanctuary wetlands. Being surrounded mostly by private timberlands expands the remote feeling this location has to offer. More than 3 miles of maintained trails deliver single track/ pedestrian/equine pathways to wider trails joined by a main trunk trail large enough for vehicles.
Malaney Creek meanders through a cool grassy tree lined meadow where a 40 year old wooden bridge serving the main driveway can be viewed.
Established in 1977 as a resident farm, MCF was once rich with an old growth ceder forest feeding a cedar mill and railroad built by early settlers of Mason County. Remnants of the old growth giants still remain.
$29 - $185 / night
Traveler
Went in the middle of the week and wasn't busy at all. Can tell this place is packed on weekends, being so close to Olympia. Nice swimming area with snack bar. Many of the tent camp sites are not private and right next to their neighbor. Overall a nice place to go during the week.
ScoutWanted to make some headway leaving Mount Rainier towards Seattle and stay somewhere in the middle. Should have camped at Cougar Rock and driven further today. Expensive (30 plus tax) tent camping prices afford you an unlevel pad of weedy haphazardly maintained grass that's actually just the back yard of a house converted into way too many tent sites and two cabins. No fire pit, no picnic bench for my site, not raked after cutting the weeds so grass in EVERYTHING. The best part? The advertised wifi which would add some redeeming quality to the price tag doesn't reach the camping area (even though I could throw a rock to the reception desk from there) AND in the morning you have the blessing of COIN OPERATED showers after already paying for your stay. One single toilet and one single shower at the camp store for all campers.
AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS. Not worth your money when there are plenty of decently maintained forest service sites around with flat camping pads. I only give it 1 of 5 stars because I found something worth about 30 dollars in the parking lot. Otherwise it's 0/5.
GuideThis place had it all; open RV camping, secluded van camping, tree canopy car/tent camping, walk-in camping, and themed safari tent camping, and one cute mini airstream.
Lake down the road. Water and electrical hookups, dump station with dump water and fresh water.
Restrooms and showers are scattered around. Showers are coin based and there is a machine to turn your dollars into coins.
Guide
Very nicely maintained campground. Get your reservations in the winter before your trip. Spots fill up fast. Bathrooms are clean. Tent sites are nice and provide plenty of room. Tent sites aren’t to close to each other but typical for national parks. Highly recommend this camp ground.
Traveler
Kids really enjoyed the creek nearby and it was great for our tent camping. We were able to hike around and had water, and restrooms that were clean.
Guide
Very disappointed. Booked and told tent sites could be driven up to. Not the case. Host was very nice. Beautiful place
Ranger
I’ve been coming to this state park for as long as I can remember. There’s so many activities to do; clamming, shrimping, hiking, hunting for oysters, and there’s even places to rent kayaks. No shortage of bald eagles here either. Plenty of group tent sites as well as regular RV and tent sites. Each site comes with fire pit, hook ups, and a picnic table. Showers and bathrooms are clean and only costs a quarters for a shower with hot water. Great way to bring the whole family together. Will continue coming to this state park and campground for as long as I can.
Scout
Decent, but the facilities are a bit rundown and there were three tent sites 5 feet from my door. Staff was friendly enough and 20 mins into Seattle.
GuideThis campground was alright to stay in. The highway right next to the KOA was very busy and noisy all night long, bring earplugs. The tent sites were a joke. You get a small square in a grid of 16 or so squares. Our 10x10 tent took up more than half of the tent site. The neighbor’s tent was 4 feet from ours, offering little to no privacy. The WiFi barely worked, but the showers were nice. The back showers are private rooms which are really nice, especially when camping with little ones to keep them contained. There’s no water or electric hookups for tent campers in the little squares, I had to fill my jug up from a hose on the side of the main building. To access the WiFi you have to make an account, which was annoying also.
LegendWhile it’s quite basic it gave an amazing nature experience. We usually do tent camping, but we opted for platform tents here as we were only staying one night. The tent was much nicer than we expected and had a good amount of space. We enjoyed hiking to the near by rivers. This was a great place to stay!
Scout
If you like oysters and clams, this place is perfect. It's not fancy, tent sites don't have privacy between them. However, we had a blast here. Great weekend away. Family friendly.
TravelerStayed in the tent sites ONLY area. Lunch green grass with a fire pit. Shared shelter if needed due to weather with 2 grills for use. Great trees to hang the hammock!
Legend
This is a nice little campground. Mostly tent sites or really small campers. There are a few larger events sites. Nice trails right from camp. No dump. Flush toilets with running water. No electric.
Legend
Jake from the Dyrt here! The tent sites at Hearth Street Properties offer secluded spots near the water, with conveniences like restaurants nearby. Check them out and share some pics from your trip on the Dyrt!
GuideWas able to get a tent site first come first serve for what wasn't reserved. Very cold and rainy in comparison to campsites outside of the park. Site were private but the bathrooms were a walk.
Scout
This is definitely a RV resort, but there are 5or 6 tent camping sites under some big trees which provide shade almost all day. Nice bathroom and showers. Laundry, dog run, tv room, plus really friendly employees!!! Waterfront is right down the street. Costco, Home Depot, Albertsons and other shopping close by.
Guide
Who doesn't love Lake Cushman?
For camping, there aren't many other options, but this place is alright. RV sites were very popular, but we had the walk-in tent sites to ourselves. The camp store is very convenient too!
Traveler
Tent camped here mid week last August. There’s a beach loop for RVs and a woods loop for tents & smaller RVs. Overall pretty quiet, close to town, close to ATV trails & dog friendly. The kids loved the park! The beach was great, water is rather warm for in the sound, it’s also pretty shallow which is great for the kids to play in.
Legend
We stumbled upon this campground by chance and were quite happy to have done so. We came early in the morning and were able to get a tent site (first come first serve $20/night) before setting out to explore the Staircase area of Olympic National Park. The campground hosts were super friendly and gave us great advice on where to go in the area. Our tent site had a fire pit with grill, picnic table, and nice gravel parking pad. The spots here are well dispersed and set back in the woods for the most part so they felt very secluded and peaceful. We didn't spend a ton of time around the campground and this was just a one night exploration base but overall it was clean, offered good basic amenities and was very quiet and tranquil.
Guide
Only con is road noise from Hwy7. Main through fare to Mt Rainier south entrance and services. Sites may be too close together if park was full. We were one a few campers! We tent camped and had view of Lake Alder. Nice campground host. We'll cared for, clean, organized sites. No sewer or showers, pit toilets.
LegendMillersylvania is located South of Olympia on Deep Lake. The campsites are nice, they have both RV, Yurts, and Tent sites. The RV loop does pack you in their like sardines. Deep Lake is a murky lake but is stocked with fish and has designated swim area.
Legend
Camp Thunderbird is owned by the Boy Scouts of America and is available for public use. It is located at the base of Summit Lake, with a dock and great swimming spot. There are tent sites, adirondacks, and cabins. There is a great big field and lots of trails.
GuideThis was our first camping trip of the season, for memorial day weekend. As first timers at this site, we were pleasantly surprised with the location and amenities. We had a tent site and had good shade/privacy. Would recommend a stay for those in WA looking for a nearby site!
LegendThis is a large campground with all the of camping options. They have tent sites, platform tents, cabins and RV hookups. This is located on both the Hood Canal and the Dosewallips river. This provides lots of activities like hiking, fishing, clam digging and exploring. There are several camp sites located on the river. The campground is well maintained year round.
Ranger
The hike and Bike area is not easily located because it is set apart from the other campsites. Showers are included in the fee and restrooms are clean. Tent site includes a table and fire pit. Campground is right on the water with a convenience store about a quarter mile away. Seems to be popular with day visitors.
TravelerWe Can’t Thank The Rainbow RV Resort Enough For The Wonderful Stay We Had. They Are A Clean Reasonably Priced RV Camping Site With Tent Camping Available, A Boat Launch A Beautiful Dock And Swimming Area As Well. Thank You To All The Rainbow Resort Staff For Making Our Stay An Enjoyable And Memorable One! Beautiful Place With Amazing Views Of Tanwax Lake! We Look Forward To Staying Again Sooner Then Later! Take Care!
Traveler
The tent sites are right off the parking lot; I was a bigger fan of the backcountry camping. But the lake is this amazingly clear, turquoise blue. You can see the fallen dead wood sitting at the bottom of the lake. Hiking into the alpine was too beautiful for words. I loved the area, but I didn't like the parking lot proximity
Tent camping near Federal Way, Washington offers a fantastic escape into nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for a peaceful retreat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Federal Way, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Federal Way, WA is Mowich Lake Campground — Mount Rainier National Park with a 4.1-star rating from 13 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Federal Way, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 82 tent camping locations near Federal Way, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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